Fear not, though, as business management platform Tide has published its latest Global Freelancer Report, revealing the freelance roles that are most in demand in the UK and around the world.

We’ll look at some of the top ones to give you an idea of which areas to focus on going into 2026, and we’ll also touch on the issue of freelancing abroad, which can have major implications for how you pay tax.

Let’s jump in.

Most in-demand freelance roles in the UK

According to the report, the top freelance role in the UK is that of SEO (search engine optimisation) specialist, which is all about leveraging digital analytics to boost a company’s online presence. It also helps to have a bit of marketing know-how.

Other roles on the list include graphic/web designer, copywriter, and accountant, with there being a clear emphasis on web-based skills.

Most in-demand freelance roles globally

While there is some overlap between the two lists, SEO specialist doesn’t take the top spot globally.

Rather, the report indicates that self-employed filmmakers are actually the most sought-after freelancers around the globe, and this is really no surprise when you consider just how ubiquitous video content is in today’s digital world.

Also on the global list are SEO specialist, graphic designer, copywriter, and photographer.

Can I freelance abroad?

This is a good question, and one you’ve no doubt asked yourself if you’re a freelance professional. After all, one of the big attractions of freelancing is the freedom to decide your own schedule, as well as where and when you work.

George Schmidt, UK/Europe CEO at Tide, describes freelancing as the “natural next step for many people that have worked in an industry for an extended period of time,” noting “the flexibility to fit it in around your life”.

When it comes to freelancing abroad, however, the reality isn’t quite as simple as you might think, or hope! For example, if you’re considered a UK tax resident, you most likely need to pay tax on all your income – even if some of it comes from a foreign client.

Living and working in a different country

What if you’re also based overseas, living and working in a different country? Well, this is where things get really complicated, as things like tax residency and double taxation agreements come into play.

These sort of arrangements basically ensure you don’t pay tax on the same income twice, but you’ll normally need to check for any agreements in place between the countries in question.

The good thing is you don’t have to go it alone. A qualified accountant can walk you through the whole process and make sure you’re operating in the most tax-efficient way possible.

Recording international income

Good record keeping will help you stay on track of what income was earned where. It can make a huge difference to your tax bill. The best way to keep good records is by using online bookkeeping software.

What freelance roles are on the up?

Currently, the fastest growing freelance profession is web analytics specialist, followed closely by content marketer.

As is evident from Tide’s findings, the fact that AI is being relied upon more and more doesn’t mean there aren’t still jobs available for freelancers in certain areas.

It’s simply about knowing where to look (and what to focus on). While there are many good arguments for specialising as a freelancer, meaning you home in on one specific niche, it also pays to stay more generalised, as this gives you access to a greater number of opportunities.

A more general freelancer is able to stay nimble and adapt to their changing environment, and right now there appears to be a growing demand in the digital space, with web analytics, SEO and the like all becoming increasingly important to different kinds of companies. It all depends on your needs and skills!

Head over to our information hub for more guides, news and advice on navigating life as a professional freelancer, from finance to tech and more.

The post What Freelance Roles Are in Highest Demand? appeared first on Freelancer News.

The beauty of freelancing is that whatever your skill, no matter how niche, as long as there’s a gap in the market for it and demand for what you offer, you can carve a career out of it.

One pretty popular line of freelancing is proofreading. Here, we look at:

• What a freelance proofreader does
• The different types of proofreading
• The skills proofreaders need
• What a freelance proofreader can typically charge
• Some must-have tools and software for freelance proofreaders

What is a freelance proofreader?

If you’re thinking about becoming a freelance proofreader, the first thing is to make sure you understand exactly what the role requires.

In the general sense of what a freelancer is, it’s an independent professional who works for themselves rather than being employed by a business. This means a freelancer will usually work for more than one business or client at a time, juggling multiple projects simultaneously.

In the context of proofreading, a freelance proofreader is an expert in the field who works for themselves, offering their services to several clients on either a short-term, long-term or ad hoc basis.

Either way, freelance proofreaders generally tend to work remotely and according to their own schedules unless specified by the client and agreed by the freelancer, providing services such as:

• Reviewing written content for errors and to ensure proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and formatting
• Copy editing, which involves improving the style, clarity, and coherence of the text, as well as consistency in tone. However, this isn’t always a proofreader’s job and sometimes there will be a dedicated copy editor available to do that
• Ensuring that the written content is well polished before being published or submitted
• Working with authors, businesses, students, publishing companies, agencies or even fellow freelancers.

Are there different types of proofreaders?

Yes, there can be different types of proofreaders for different categories of written content.

A proofreader can work with various types of written documents, including articles, essays, reports, manuscripts, websites, marketing materials and much more. It really depends on the type of business or client you’re working with.

Common categories or industries that call for freelance proofreading include:

• Legal
• Academic
• Technical
• Publishing
• Website
• Translation or localisation
• Books
• Editorial

Proofreaders can choose to specialise in specific industries or types of content, while others prefer to offer general proofreading services across multiple subjects or formats.

To get started as a freelance proofreader, you need to decide if you want to have a specialist niche or if you want to keep your offering more general.

Base this decision on your skills and experience but also on your interests – it’s nice to enjoy what you’re proofing after all, and this will help you deliver your best work.

What skills do proofreaders need?

To be a successful freelance proofreader, there are a number of hard and soft skills you need to have under your belt and that every client will be looking for.

Hard skills:

• Meticulous attention to detail
• Proficiency in the language you’re proofreading
• Excellent grammatical knowledge
• Competence with any software and systems required
• Great research skills (in case you need to fact-check)

Soft skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Laser-sharp focus and concentration
• Patience and flexibility
• Willing and able to work independently
• Broad general knowledge

What rates can freelance proofreaders charge?

What you can charge as a freelance proofreader depends on your experience and knowledge. You can also take factors like the length of the project and the deadline into account when pricing. If it’s an extensive project with a tight deadline, you might be able to charge more.

However, the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) suggests that the minimum rate for proofreading is £30.75 per hour as of March 2025.

You can use this as a base to calculate your fees if you’d prefer to charge by the hour, day or per project.

Sometimes, the client’s payment processes will influence how you charge or invoice, but you shouldn’t let them dictate your costs. Entering into a price negotiation is okay and pretty normal, but don’t let a client push you into agreeing to a fee you aren’t comfortable with.

It’s important to remember that when you’re self-employed, freelance fees need to cover more than just the specific skills you’re providing.

As a freelance proofreader, what you charge should also take into consideration things like:

• National Insurance
• Pension contributions
• Holidays
• Sickness leave
• Work-related bills
• Training
• Software, equipment and supplies
• Subscriptions

Must-have tools and software for freelance proofreaders

There is a plethora of different software and apps out there designed to help self-employed professionals, including a whole host of AI tools for freelancers.

An AI writing assistant

Something like Grammarly can act as a great supplementary tool to support your proofreading. As an expert, it’s not something you should rely on entirely, but it can help bolster your efforts and eliminate any human error (because you’re only human after all).

A project management app

A project management platform like Trello or Asana are great ways to manage multiple projects and organise deadlines efficiently. An app means you can do it straight from your phone from wherever you choose to work.

Cloud-based bookkeeping software

When running any kind of business, staying on top of your finances is crucial. Cloud-based bookkeeping software will make recording things like expenses and managing invoices much easier as you can access your accounts from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

Good bookkeeping habits will make your life a whole simpler when it comes to tax return time too.

Find even more advice and guidance for freelancers in our info hub!

The post How Do I Become a Freelance Proofreader? appeared first on Freelancer News.

In fact, the Self-Employed Landscape Report revealed that freelancers make up nearly half (46%) of the country’s overall solo self-employed population.

The same research found that:

• A significant proportion of freelancers live in London (24%) and the Southeast (22%)
• Northern Ireland and Wales experienced the most notable decline in freelancers last year
• London, Scotland and the Northwest saw the largest increase in freelancer numbers during the same time period
• The West Midlands now comprises 7% of the UK’s freelance population whilst the Southwest represents 10%.

So, that’s what the UK freelance landscape is looking like right now – but where is the best place to be a freelancer? Let’s explore.

The world is your workplace

One of the most exciting things about building a freelance career is the freedom it affords you in terms of where you can work. You won’t be required to attend the same office in the same place each week, like you normally would if you were employed.

Important things to consider when plotting out your freelance life on a map include:

• Cost of living and travelling in your chosen area(s)
• Tax implications in those specific places
• Your industry/field of work and the demand for what you offer there
• Time zones – will these impact your ability to maintain client relationships?
• Impact on your personal life and relationships

Of course, if you do fancy living the ‘digital nomad’ life and exploring the world while you work, you’ll also need to think about visas. Popular destinations that offer freelance visas are:

• Germany
• Belgium
• Portugal
• Spain
• Cyprus
• Brazil

All these locations welcome freelance workers, offering specific visas with time-based parameters or income-related requirements.

With the internet and modern technology, it’s possible to run a successful freelance business from almost anywhere in the world – it’s all about finding the place(s) that support your goals.

Freelancing online

Working remotely means you can connect with clients all over the world regardless of your own location – all thanks to the internet removing many geographical limitations.

So, if you’re a UK-based freelancer hoping for international work without needing to travel regularly or stray too far from home, the online world might prove to be your best bet.

Remote work

As a freelancer working remotely, the best place for you to be is wherever you feel most productive or wherever suits your schedule. This might be from a home office or a local cafe, the airport, or some far-flung exotic country.

That’s the beauty of remote self-employment and being your own boss – you get to choose where and when you work. You can even claim tax relief on your allowable home office running costs and travel expenses.

When it comes to finding work and reaching clients in the online world, freelance websites and social media platforms are going to be your best friends.

Freelance websites

There are lots of freelance websites and platforms which are designed to match gig workers with clients. On these types of websites, you will find digital ads calling for freelancers to fulfil jobs, which could be anything from a 30-second video voice-over to a three-month contract for a graphic designer.

These online spaces provide amazing opportunities to reach clients all around the world and the chance to work on projects you wouldn’t be able to access locally. Some popular freelance websites to check out are:

• • Fiverr: Easy to use with no joining or subscription fees. Advertise your service and wait for somebody to request a ‘gig’. You get 80% of the fee and Fiverr gets 20%.

• • Upwork: Sign up, create a profile and then actively bid on jobs posted by clients. Upwork is free to join and the platform takes a flat fee of what you earn.

• • PeoplePerHour: Clients can post jobs for freelancers to bid for, or freelancers can pitch packages for clients to consider. You apply for an account and once accepted, you get a set number of bids and quotes per month. You can buy credits to increase this allowance.

• Freelancer.com: On this platform, clients list projects that freelancers bid for. The client then selects a freelancer to ‘award’ the job to. Freelancer.com has a selection of subscription bands that give you access to a range of bids and rewards. The platform takes 10% or $5 of the winning bid for fixed-price projects, and 10% for hourly charges, whichever is highest.

However, it is also worth looking in less densely populated online spaces to boost your chances of standing out. Some other great examples of freelance websites where competition might be a little less intensive include Flexjobs, Bark, Toptal, and Guru (which is specifically for voice over gigs).

Their global nature means competition for jobs can be pretty intense on these freelancing platforms, often leading to lower fees and tighter deadlines. Be aware, and ensure you aren’t overcommitting or underpricing your services when negotiating.

Social media

When running a freelance business online, using social media to build a client base can be an invaluable tool.

Social media might not be relevant for some freelance services, but it can have benefits for those that it suits. Professional channels like LinkedIn can be particularly fruitful when it comes to connecting with paying clients who need your services.

Here are some top tips to make your social media accounts work harder for you:

• • Pick your platforms wisely: Only use the social media channels that are relevant to your industry. For instance, a freelance finance consultant might have more difficulty finding leads on TikTok or Snapchat, so a different platform could be more efficient.

• • Search strategically: Use the search feature on social media platforms to find posts and conversations related to freelance opportunities. Target phrases like ‘hiring freelance [insert specialism]’ or ‘freelance job’ and set up alerts for these keywords too.

• • Make a good digital impression: Ensure your chosen social media profiles are complete, professional-looking and free of any grammatical errors or typos.

• • Be active: Share regular content that is original, engaging and shareable to expand your reach and get your name out there. Posting examples of your work allows your online audience to get a taste of what you have to offer.

• Interact in the right places: Join and follow freelance job boards and groups on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Clients will often post on job boards and social media groups so it’s a good opportunity to snap them up.

Consider your clients’ needs

Another important thing to remember when working as a freelancer is that some clients might require you to work from their base or office from time to time. This could be for ad hoc meetings or on a more structured, regular basis if you’re working under a contract.

Make sure you clearly establish if this is going to be the case from the very beginning so you can manage expectations about how much you can realistically commit to working on-site.

Find more expert advice and resources in our freelancer information hub.

The post Where’s The Best Place to be a Freelancer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

If you’re a UK resident attending a UK university, part-time freelancing is accepted as a great way to earn extra money and gain experience in a particular area.

But freelancing is not permitted if you’re an international student attending a UK university on a student visa. This is because of restrictions about the number of hours and type of work you’re allowed to do on this type of visa.

Benefits of freelancing while studying for a degree

The obvious advantage of freelancing while studying for a degree is that you can make some extra money to supplement your student loan. The benefits of running a side hustle while studying go way beyond making some extra cash though.

Flexible earning

Not only is freelancing a great way to open an additional income stream, it’s also an incredibly flexible way to earn money.

Many students take up part-time work in the retail or hospitality industries to earn extra cash, but part-time self-employment is far more adaptable than working for an employer.

Working for yourself means you can scale your workload up or down depending on how busy you are with your studies, and ensure your university deadlines and freelance deadlines never clash. Contracted employment hours and shifts can be far more rigid.

Practical experience

While working in retail or hospitality is a proactive way to support yourself financially as a student, freelancing in your chosen industry is a great way to get ahead professionally while earning at the same time.

Many industries evolve rapidly so if you’ve been freelancing during your degree course, you’ll be able to hit the ground running post-graduation with practical skills and actionable knowledge of the sector.

It will also give you a competitive advantage in the professional market.

If you want to start applying for jobs, your freelance experience will boost your employability as you’ll already have a portfolio of freelance work to support your applications.

If you want to continue freelancing and turn your side hustle into a full-time business, you will have solid self-employment foundations to build on.

Plus, what you learn through your freelancing can also have mutual benefits for your academic work, hopefully boosting your grades.

Building contacts

While you’re out gaining experience in the professional world alongside your studies, you also get the opportunity to meet people in your industry and make connections.

Just like skills and a portfolio, this will support your employability once you start looking for a job post-graduation. Or, if you plan to freelance full-time or start your own business after university, these connections can form the start of your client base.

Establishing strong work ethics

Part-time freelancing while studying is a great way to get a feel for what the working world is like without having to dive right in at the deep end.

Freelancing exposes you to things like client communications, time management, and negotiating costs – all of which are incredibly useful soft skills for a graduate.

Balancing a side hustle with your academic studies also teaches you valuable lessons about discipline, organisation, and striking a healthy work-life balance.

Things to consider as a side-hustling student

Before kick-starting your freelance side hustle whilst you study, there are some important things for you to think about in order to manage expectations and ensure you’re not spreading yourself too thinly.

Impact on your studies

First and foremost, it’s vital to make sure that your freelance work doesn’t get in the way of your academic studies. Only commit to a realistic number of hours or projects and leave adequate time and head space for your degree.

The beauty of freelancing is that you can adapt your workload in between semesters. So, when your university work is more intensive, you can focus less on side hustling. In your academic breaks, you can ramp up your freelance work if you want to.

Uncertainty around earnings

Employment might be rigid and inflexible in terms of time, but it is pretty stable when it comes to weekly or monthly pay. Freelance work, on the other hand, is less reliable as you will be counting on clients to pay their invoices within the agreed terms.

Clients sometimes miss payment deadlines and it’s up to you to chase them to settle their bills. This can be stressful and eat into your valuable time.

Only work with clients you know are going to pay their invoices on time and not add to your to-do list (or stress levels).

Finding freelance work

Completing work is one thing but sourcing gigs and maintaining client relationships takes time and effort. Even sending emails back and forth to sign off prices, discuss amends or arrange meetings is time that pulls you away from your studies.

Applying for freelance jobs and preparing your portfolio to present to potential clients can also be super time intensive.

Make sure to factor all of this in before agreeing to any work. It’s important to be open and honest with your freelance clients too, so that they’re aware of your situation and that sometimes, your studies will have to come first.

Do students have to pay tax on freelance work?

Yes, all of the same tax rules apply to students who earn money through self-employment alongside their academic studies.

This means you need to pay personal income tax on any taxable earnings you make through your freelance side hustle.

You can earn up to £1,000 from self-employment in a tax year before you need to register with HMRC and report your income. After that, you may need to sign-up for Self Assessment so you can submit a tax return each year and pay what you owe.

The Personal Allowance means you don’t have to pay income tax on the portion of your earnings that fall below the current £12,570 threshold.

Your student loan and things like bursaries, grants and scholarships are normally tax-free and therefore don’t typically contribute to your Personal Allowance.

If you make money from selling goods and services overseas, you might also have to pay taxes to other countries as well.

Dealing with your accounts takes time and energy too, so just make sure you’re realistic about what you can take on alongside your degree.

 
Find even more advice and guidance for freelancers in our handy info hub!

The post Can I Freelance Whilst I Study for my Degree? appeared first on Freelancer News.

For others, retirement is the perfect time to focus on a post-employment freelance venture. This could be continuing a freelance side hustle that is already up and running, or it could mean venturing into the world of freelancing afresh. There’s absolutely nothing to stop you freelancing once you reach retirement age, or even if you take early retirement.

We explore the benefits of freelancing after retirement and share our advice on things like tax liabilities and marketing your freelance services.

Should I start freelancing once I retire?

OK, so you can freelance, but should you? There are plenty of benefits depending on what you’re looking to get out of it.

Nurture your passion

Just because you’ve reached retirement age, it doesn’t mean you should give up doing what you love or what you’re good at. If you’ve still got energy and expertise, freelancing is the ideal way to go about it.

Earn extra income

As well as continuing to do something you love or exploring an untapped talent you’ve always had, freelancing is also a great way to earn extra money. It can be lucrative too.

Plus, freelancing is a far more flexible way to generate income. You can scale your workload up or down depending on your personal schedule, without having to commit to contracted employment hours.

Better wellbeing

Retirement is a cause for celebration, but it can also be a common trigger for anxiety and depression.

Leaving a life’s career behind can cause people to feel like they’ve lost their sense of purpose, which can lead to feelings of grief too. Plus, leaving employment behind can also come with financial stress.

Freelancing not only provides an extra stream of income, but it also reinstates a sense of purpose. This will support better mental stimulation, happiness, and improved physical health too.

You’re off the National Insurance hook

Once you reach State Pension age, you stop paying Class 1 and Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NIC). This is true even if you’re still working.

Class 1 relates to the NIC paid through employment, while Class 2 refers to the NIC paid through self-employment.

This means you get to keep more of your freelance earnings post-retirement than you would have done before reaching State Pension age.

Note: you will need to carry on paying Class 4 contributions until the end of the tax year in which you reach State Pension age.

Will I pay income tax if I freelance after retirement?

You might not be liable to pay National Insurance contributions once you reach State Pension age, but you may need to pay tax on your freelance earnings.

The good news is that everyone is entitled to the Trading Allowance, permitting you to earn up to £1,000 from self-employment in a tax year before you need to report it to HMRC or pay tax.

After that, you’ll need to register for and submit Self Assessment tax returns so you can pay Income Tax on any earnings over the (tax-free) Personal Allowance.

The current Personal Allowance threshold is £12,570, which means you don’t need to pay any Income Tax on the first £12,570 you earn.

Your Personal Allowance encompasses all sources of income, so your total income will include:

• State Pension
• Private pension (although some of this can be taken tax-free)
• Self-employment earnings (e.g., freelance income)
• Taxable benefits
• Income from property
• Investment earnings

Any income above the £12,570 allowance will be subject to tax. You are responsible for reporting these earnings to HMRC and paying the necessary taxes.

How to promote freelance services

So, you’re excited to take on post-retirement freelancing – but how do you go about sharing your offering with the world? Whether you’ve got a pre-established client base or not, here are some quick tips on how to market your freelance services successfully.

Be active on social media

Social media is one of the most effective ways to expand the reach of your offering and be an active part of current conversations in your industry.

These days, many people also use social media as an additional search engine so if people are searching for an expert in your field, being present online will help them find you. It’s also a great place for customers to share their reviews and recommendations.

Don’t think you need to be active on every single platform though – go where your customers are and speak to them in their language. If you’re a freelance financial advisor, for example, you might find it harder to target your audience on TikTok.

Consider setting up a website

This won’t be necessary for the operation of every freelance service but for some, a business website can be an invaluable tool. If you’re a freelance copywriter or wedding photographer, for instance, a website is the perfect place to collate examples of your work and explain pricing structures.

Attend online and in-person events

Getting out there and meeting people is a tried and tested way to find new business. There are stacks of digital events to attend online these days but don’t forget about good old-fashioned, face-to-face networking too.

Encourage word-of-mouth referrals

Ask clients to recommend you to their contacts, share your content on social media, and write testimonials for you to share on your own channels. Customer recommendations are a powerful force when it comes to finding and retaining business.

Find more expert advice and resources in our freelancer information hub.

The post Can I Freelance After I Retire? appeared first on Freelancer News.

One of the main reasons for this is that making products can be time-consuming for a small to medium-sized business – as well as expensive!

Even businesses which do make their own products are likely to purchase the materials from a wholesaler before putting them together.

As a freelancer, you may be wondering if you can even use wholesalers – so we’ll look at what a wholesaler is and who can use them.

What is a wholesaler?

A wholesaler sells products or materials in bulk to other companies at discounted rates, who then resell them for profit.

What’s the difference between wholesalers, suppliers, and manufacturers?

Wholesalers, suppliers, and manufacturers are often used interchangeably, and they are similar in some ways, but there are key differences.

An example of businesses which may use a wholesaler

Example 1:

Let’s say you’re a sole trader who owns a womenswear retail business. You design some of your own clothes with in-house seamstresses, but also use wholesalers to keep your website and social media pages busy with regular pieces for your customers to purchase.

You know a wholesaler that stocks the type of clothes that match your brand and visit them monthly to purchase various stock. In this instance, you’ve purchased 120 of your previous sell-out dresses and 35 jackets that are now in stock from your wholesaler (you’ve bought fewer of these as you don’t know whether there will be demand for them).

The wholesaler has likely purchased the goods from a manufacturer or, in some cases, another wholesaler to go on sale at your retail business, and others alike.

Example 2:

You’ve just opened a small convenience store and have now found some good wholesalers to provide fresh fruit and veg, snacks, and various newspapers to your store. They sell you these items at a discounted rate, and you sell them at your retail price to earn a profit. As time goes on, you know which items your customers love, and which ones aren’t worth repurchasing.

An example of a wholesaler in this instance is Smiths News, who supply newspapers and magazines to 24,000 retailers, superstores, and corner shops.

Who can use a wholesaler?

The good news is anyone can use a wholesaler! There’s usually no restriction to who can use a wholesaler, although many microbusinesses and freelancers may decide against using them because even though the discount is great, wholesalers tend to sell in bulk.

If you work from your front room selling American Candy in the UK, there are probably only so many boxes of sweets you actually need before you can no longer move around in your own home!

Why should I buy wholesale?

There are many reasons why buying wholesale may be a great option for your business.

• Consistency purchasing familiar brands for your customers: Wholesalers are known for having lots of branded, well-known products in stock that your customers are familiar with – which helps you with sales and increasing your profits.
• Discounted prices: They have a variety of goods that you can buy in bulk at a decent price. Some wholesalers offer a better discount the longer you continue to use them.
• White labelling and personalisation: Many wholesalers team up with drop shipping companies nowadays, so you can make your own personal supplies. Known as white labelling, this is where a manufacturer creates blank t-shirts, jumpers, stationary, or just about anything, that you can then rebrand with your own logo.

Where can I find good wholesalers?

There are many options when looking for wholesalers, and it’s definitely worth testing a few out to see which works for you.

• Local wholesalers: With a local wholesaler you can see the stock in person and build a good rapport with them – shipping costs will also be less expensive (if you need shipping)
• Trade shows: There are 2 types; horizontal trade shows where wholesalers select a wider variety of products to showcase so you can see what you like, and vertical trade shows where wholesalers offer goods and services for a specific industry.
• Online: You’ll find suppliers in the UK and abroad that may cater to your needs better than any of the above, depending on what it is you need. Always look up the pros and cons! For example, if you opt for a wholesaler abroad, some banks can inflate the exchange rate without any warning.

Find even more advice and guidance for freelancers in our info hub!

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If you’re thinking of starting up your own side gig, you’ll be joining one in five Brits that have done the same since March 2020. But where exactly do you start? We’ll give you some tips and tricks on how you can start a freelance side hustle.

What is a side hustle?

A side hustle is basically a hobby or side job you do part-time in addition to any other employment you may have. Lots of people start side hustles from their personal hobbies, for example, creating bespoke cakes or paintings, and they’re likely to have a small (but loyal) clientele.

The best thing about side hustles is the flexibility and freedom to earn your own income. As your own boss, you can choose how often you work, and the clients you want to work for. There are many stories of side hustles snowballing from a hobby to a full-time business – but again, it’s up to you if that’s what you want to strive for, you can go at your own pace.

How do I start a freelance side hustle?

If you have decided you want to start a side hustle, congrats! It’s an exciting prospect, but it can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. We have some tips to help you on your way.

1. Think about your passions and skills

Working full-time can really burn up all your energy, so you need something that can ignite your creative flame, even after working 40+ hours per week in employment.

Doing what you love will really reflect in your work, and it’ll feel less like a second job and more like a hobby.

2. Create a plan and set realistic goals

Setting huge targets, such as making several million pounds with just seven hours a week set aside for your new side hustle, while not impossible (we want to be positive here), is unrealistic.

Think about how much time you have, and how much money you can invest in your side hustle – and always give yourself time to find clients and grow. It doesn’t happen overnight.

3. Start networking

Networking is a powerful marketing tool. For example, if you’re a copywriter and you attend regular networking events or even get to know people on professional platforms such as LinkedIn, there’s always somebody who knows someone else that may need a copywriter for their business.

It’s the same with people who create incredible cakes – someone will always need one for a special occasion, and sending out email pitches to people who run corporate events or meeting up with other freelancers can really help you connect with others and reach the right audience.

4. Build your brand

Once you’ve decided on a business name, and what it is you offer, it’s time to think about how you raise your profile, such as by building a presence on social media. It can help to create a logo, and be consistent with your brand colours and fonts so customers recognise it’s you who is posting. Building a brand your clients trust and enjoy is crucial!

5. Look at your competitors

What are your competitors doing that you do better? Is there anything you can offer, that maybe they don’t? Sometimes finding a competitive edge or niche can really help you stand out amongst the crowd.

6. Set your prices

This can be difficult, especially if this is your first experience of working out how much to charge. Our advice would be don’t undersell yourself. It can be easy to sell your products or services for super low prices to compete with others, but the joy may quickly drain out of your new side-job if you take on a heap of work with next to no reward.

Look at what other people in your field are charging, and keep in mind your costs for the materials you need, and of course, your time.

Where can I advertise my side hustle business?

This depends on what your side hustle is. If you’re looking for a low-cost option to advertise your business, then most of the time social media is your friend.

If you run – let’s say – a kids’ teepee business, advertising your services in local Facebook groups, Instagram, and even Tik Tok while using the correct hashtags and keywords could attract parents looking for party ideas.

Paying for advertisements is always an option too, but if you do this make sure you budget yourself properly. Throwing all your savings on Instagram ads won’t work if they’re targeting the wrong audience. It can sometimes take a while to get it right.

If you’re getting crafty and selling personalised items, websites such as Etsy can highlight your brand and give you a platform that already has substantial traffic going to it. Though you’ll have platform fees to think about, they’re usually much cheaper than the cost of setting up your own website (and it’s usually much easier to create listings).

If you have a service to offer, then building a network on LinkedIn can be useful. You could also attend networking events to meet potential clients and get your name out there. Just keep in mind that information might make its way back to your employer though – which for freelancers with a service-based side hustle can sometimes be a consideration!

There are also lots of freelancing sites where you might be able to pick up work.

How do I create an invoice for my side hustle business?

It’s so exciting once you get your first client, but what happens when it’s time to collect your payment? Creating invoices is super simple, so the first rule is not to overthink it!

If you don’t use invoicing software to do the job for you, all it needs is the following:

• Your business name, address, and phone number
• Your client’s name, address, and phone number
• A list of products sold, or services completed
• The date the invoice was issued
• A unique invoice number
• The total amount
• Instructions on how to pay

Your payment instructions can be as simple as, ‘Please make payment via bank transfer to [insert company name or your name], [sort code], [account number].

To personalise it, use your logo and brand colours! Read our article about successful invoicing to learn more.

Do I need a business account for my side hustle?

Nope! You’re under no legal obligation to open a business bank account for your side hustle, but if you ever need to register for Self Assessment, it may be better to keep your personal and business payments separate – especially when it comes to bookkeeping!

Do I have to pay taxes on my side hustle?

If you earn more than the £1,000 Trading Allowance in a tax year, you’ll need to register for Self Assessment with HMRC. How much tax you pay will depend on your overall income for the year.

 
Find more of the latest news and guidance for freelancers in our info hub.

The post How Do I Start a Freelance Side Hustle? appeared first on Freelancer News.

This demonstrates the growing popularity of freelancing as a full-time career or side hustle, with more and more people exploring this flexible way of working.

But how many people actually understand what a freelancer is? And to what extent does this differ from the role of a contractor? The two are often confused and the titles are used interchangeably, but there are some notable differences you need to know.

What does a freelancer do?

A freelancer is somebody who works independently, for themselves, as opposed to working for an employer. This means that freelancing is classified as a form of self-employment, even if the person only freelances part-time to supplement their main full-time job (also known as a ‘side hustle’).

The term ‘freelancer’ isn’t actually a business structure in its own right, so a freelancer might run their business as a sole trader or as a limited company.

A freelancer will often work for multiple clients at once, juggling various projects simultaneously. As a result, freelancers will charge for their services on a task-by-task basis or by the day, hour, or something even more granular – a freelance copywriter could charge per word, for example.

Sometimes, if a freelancer works with the same client on a regular, consistent basis, they’ll set a monthly retainer fee.

Are freelancers the same as ‘gig workers’?

Due to the non-permanent and fluid nature of how a freelancer works, they fall neatly under the umbrella of ‘gig work’ or the ‘gig economy’.

This encompasses all those working on projects or with clients on a temporary, flexible basis and therefore not contracted to a full-time role as a permanent employee.

Common types of freelance jobs include:

• Videographer/video editor
• Photographer
• Web developer
• Journalist
• Copywriter/content writer
• Social media manager
• Public relations
• Data
• Software
• Influencer
• Graphic designer
• Marketing
• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Editing and proofreading

What is the difference between a freelancer and a contractor?

Freelancers and contractors are both self-employed professionals that offer independent services in exchange for a fee, but there are a few nuances that separate them.

While freelancers are generally nomadic and work remotely on an ad-hoc basis, contractors tend to provide a service for a designated length of time.

Another point of difference is that contractors can sometimes be tasked with managing subcontractors or employees of the business they’re working for – something freelancers are rarely asked to do.

The benefits of being a freelancer

There are a number of reasons why freelancing is an appealing option for more and more professionals around the world, but certainly in the UK, including:

• Freedom to ‘be your own boss’ and the associated advantages of working so autonomously.
• Flexibility around where, when, and how you work, so you aren’t tied to the traditional 9-to-5 life.
• Being able to work remotely means you can travel and see the world while you earn.
• Flexibility around working hours and location is also beneficial if you have pets or a young family.
• You can scale your workload up and down according to what’s happening in your life, which means you can scale your earnings too.
• In some instances, freelancers get paid significantly more than employees. In a recent survey, nearly 60% of freelancers said they make more money than their counterpart working in a full-time job.

There are some potential downsides to consider too though

• Freelancing (and self-employment in general) doesn’t offer the same job security as full-time, contracted employment.
• Freelance wages aren’t always as consistent or predictable as a monthly employment salary.
• When you’re self-employed, you’re responsible for your own taxes as your income isn’t taxed at the source as it would be through Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
• You don’t get access to employment benefits such as employer pension contributions, private healthcare, or annual bonuses – something to consider when you’re working out what to charge!
• Working for yourself can get a little lonely at times.

It’s crucial to consider the cons of freelancing before embarking on a full-time freelance career so you can make more informed decisions.

How does a freelancer pay tax?

As we mentioned earlier, a freelancer’s earnings aren’t typically taxed at source as they aren’t paid through the PAYE system like the employee of a business is.

This means a freelancer is required to submit tax returns to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to report all income, gains, and expenses so they can pay the necessary tax.

What type of tax return a freelancer needs to submit is dictated by how their freelance business is structured:

• Sole trader
• Limited company

Below, we summarise each so you can decide which one might be right for you.

The benefits of freelancing as a sole trader

• As the only person attached to the business, you get to keep all the post-tax profits for yourself.
• Sole traders don’t have to register with Companies House, only HMRC, which also makes the process quicker and easier.
• No shareholders, partners or directors means you will always have total control over the business, including all financial decisions.
• You’ll need to submit Self Assessment tax returns to report your income and pay any tax. If you were to operate a limited company, you’d need to submit a Company Tax Return, and then a Self Assessment return to report your personal income.

The benefits of freelancing as a limited company

• As a limited company, the business’s finances and liabilities are viewed as separate from your own, which means your personal cash and assets won’t ever be involved.
• Operating a limited company might be more tax efficient, depending on your earnings and how much you take out of the business.

Note: You need to register your business with Companies House and HMRC if you want to set up as a limited company.

Head over to our Freelancer Hub where we have a whole host of guides and resources.

The post What is a Freelancer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

For those who still aren’t entirely familiar, an influencer is somebody with a large (and loyal) online following who has the power to influence sales of products and services—hence the name.

You’ll typically find influencers on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok but ‘influencing’ also extends beyond the most popular platforms into more niche parts of the digital world too.

Is being an influencer a ‘real’ job?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, according to a recent study by Adobe, UK social media content creators are now earning an average of £137,000 a year.

This is significantly more than other average salaries shared by the UK Government’s National Careers Service:

• Solicitor – £100,000
• Software developer – £70,000
• Accountant – £65,000
• Train driver – £65,000
• School teacher – £42,000
• Firefighter – £32,000
• Nurse – £32,000

Although some traditionalists might snub the idea of ‘influencing’ being a real career, the potential earnings mean it’s fair to say that it’s an extremely valid and lucrative way of earning a living.

Plus, while it might look easy and glamorous at times, producing the kind of digital content that engages an online audience so effectively that you can turn it into an income stream takes a great deal of time and skill.

The growing appetite for influencer marketing

Not only does influencing have the potential to be an extremely profitable income stream for the content creators themselves, but it can also have a powerful impact on the success of the brands and businesses they’re affiliated with.

According to research published by The Social Shepherd, 93% of marketers said they had incorporated influencer marketing as part of their overall strategy. This means almost all of those surveyed had worked with influencers and content creators to:

• Raise brand awareness (86%)
• Reach new or targeted audiences (74%)
• Improve brand advocacy (69%)
• Increase sales conversions (46%)

The same study found that 61% of consumers say they trust influencers’ recommendations. With a statistic like that, it’s clear to see why so many brands and businesses rely on influencers to help grow their digital presence and boost the bottom line.

What do you need to be an influencer?

Technically, anybody can become an influencer. Due to the fact influencers can run their business anywhere in the world with an internet connection, it’s actually a super inclusive and accessible way to make money.

Plus, with free access to social media platforms and advanced smartphone technology, great potential really is at our fingertips these days.

This applies whether somebody is a full-time influencer or if they influence on the side to supplement an employment salary. It also applies whether somebody is an influencer with hundreds, thousands, or even millions of followers, or if they are what is known as a ‘micro-influencer’, somebody with 1,000-10,000 followers.

Unlike many jobs, you don’t need any specific qualifications to be an influencer and the nature of the role is extremely diverse and expansive. Age, experience, and location are some major factors that often determine access to ‘regular jobs’, whereas influencing is open to anybody who wants to give it a go.

That said, there are some areas which might be worthy of consideration becoming an influencer as a way to generate income, including:

• Have a niche area that you specialise in and build your content around that
• As well as having a niche, have a target audience that you want to reach and engage
• Stay on top of your social media skills and the latest trends so that your content stays current
• Make sure you have time to post regularly and interact with your audience, as well as liaise with the brands you work with
• Be consistent—sporadic posts aren’t the way forward if you’re going to make a successful business from your online content
• Analyse how your content performs closely so that you can do more of what works and less of what doesn’t. This requires some knowledge of analytics platforms, most of which are now integrated into the digital platforms themselves.

The pros and cons of being an influencer

Below are some of the advantages of the role, as well as some things to consider. It’s important to remember that influencing isn’t just about getting nice things for free and editing Instagram reels in your PJs.

The benefits of being an influencer

• You have complete flexibility and autonomy over your own time
• As with all self-employment income streams, any post-tax profit you make is all yours to keep
• For people who are passionate about this line of work, it can be a whole lot of fun
• You have the chance to positively influence a large audience and make a real difference
• You get to try products, visit places, attend events, meet new people, and have experiences that you might not otherwise be exposed to
• Start-up and overhead costs can be super minimal. All you really need to get started is the smartphone that’s probably already in your hand right now.

Some things to consider

• Just like with any form of self-employment, you are responsible for generating your own income
• Similarly, you are also responsible for reporting and paying your own tax
• As influencing is so inclusive, this means that the competition is high too
• There isn’t necessarily as much job security as with salaried employment
• Even though it’s a lucrative industry right now, nobody knows the future of influencer marketing
• You may well need to share a part of your life with the world online, and sacrifice some of the privacy and anonymity regular employees or self-employed people have

Think a career as an influencer might be for you? There’s only one way to find out! Head over to our hub to find more information and support for freelancers.

The post Can I Be An Influencer? appeared first on Freelancer News.

So, if you’re wondering whether making the switch to self-employment from employment would be a good move for your bank balance, keep reading.

We’ll take you through some of the different scenarios and highlight some recent facts and figures to help you build a better picture of the current freelance vs full-time income landscape.

The growing freelance population

There are now currently more than 2 million freelancers in the UK alone – a statistic that has been climbing consistently over recent years.

Not only does this demonstrate that more and more professionals are turning to self-employment, but it also shows that, for the freelance population to carry on growing in such a way, there is clearly significant demand for this ‘gig’-style work.

Surely this suggests, then, that freelancing is a lucrative and financially appealing way to earn a living… but do freelancers make more money than employees on the payroll?

The answer to this is in a constant state of change. What could be the case now might not be the same in 10, 5, or even just one year’s time.

Let’s take a look at the financial benefits of being a freelancer right now before we compare this to the financial advantages of being an employee.

What the average UK freelancer is earning right now

It seems that the current stats are in the freelance population’s favour and not just financially. There are plenty of reasons why self-employment might be the best way for you to make an income.

The facts and figures

In a recent survey comparing freelance and employee earnings, 59% of freelancers said they make more money than their counterpart working a full-time job.

Employment platform Indeed says that the current average salary for a freelancer is £18.16 per hour in the United Kingdom. The highest earnings are in East London, where the average hourly rate is £22.30.

Meanwhile, numbers from digital salary benchmarking tool, Figures show that the average hourly wage for UK employees is £16.60, based on a 41.8-hour working week.

The financial benefits of being a freelancer

So, right now it seems that many UK freelancers are in fact earning more than employees on the payroll. Other advantages of being self-employed include:

• The money you earn is yours to keep – Any profit you make is yours for the taking, rather than going straight to your employer.
• More control over your own time – Your working hours are normally dictated by your employer, making it difficult to work more (and therefore earn more), or to choose your own working pattern. Freelancing gives you more autonomy, putting you in charge of when and how you work.
• You’re in charge of what you get paid – As an employee, what you earn is entirely controlled by someone else (your employer). As a freelancer, you can decide what you charge and when you want to increase these prices without having to jump through HR hoops for a pay rise.

Some advice on how to price your freelance services

Setting your prices can be one of the trickiest parts of being self-employed. Here are some quick tips to steer you in the right direction:

• Do some digging to see what the current industry standards and averages are, then decide where you want to position yourself
• Make sure you consider all of your expenses to cover things like insurance, accounting fees and home office running costs
• Don’t undercharge as this runs the risk of damaging your reputation
• Don’t overcharge as this will only send potential clients to cheaper competitors instead
• Review your prices regularly with all of the above in mind
• And remember that you don’t get paid holiday leave or sick pay!

The benefits of being an employee

As we mentioned earlier, although the current financial landscape generally shows that freelancers are earning more than employees, this isn’t necessarily permanent and could change over time.

Plus, it’s important to remember that these averages can vary depending on things like experience and location. The £22.30 per hour that freelancers in East London are earning, according to Indeed, drops to £12.17 per hour for freelancers in Glasgow, for example.

It’s also worth keeping in mind the following pros that employees benefit from that freelancers don’t:

• Paid sick leave
• Paid maternity leave
• Employer pension contributions
• Regular, stable income
• Dependable work with no gaps in earnings
• No need to spend valuable time chasing things like new work and late payments

Our advice? Start small with a side hustle

These days, employment and freelancing doesn’t have to be a choice. You can do both by setting up a freelance side hustle to supplement your PAYE salary. This means you can generate a secondary income stream to earn more money and protect yourself with a financial security net.

Starting out with a side hustle, rather than taking the leap and cutting ties with employment, means you can do all of the following with the stability of your regular salary to support you:

• Establish the scale of demand for your skill or offering
• Scope out the competition
• Start building client relationships and a network of contacts
• Grow your portfolio so that you can eventually charge more for what you do

If full-time freelancing is still something you want to do further down the line, you’ve then stood yourself in great stead for success.

Done here? Head over to our Freelancer Hub where we have a whole host of handy guides and resources to dive into.

The post Do Freelancers Get Paid More than Employees? appeared first on Freelancer News.